Question about applying early

[MichaelWestin]

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I posted a few times in the summer of 2008, and man this year has gone by fast.

I'm in my mid-20's, and when I was 19 I was academically dismissed from a school (question that is asked on the application) due to several personal reasons occurring all at the same time. There were financial constraints with my family and the death of an immediate family member. I didn't even know I wanted to be a dentist at that time and I put my work ahead of school to help out my family. I have a lot of W's and WU's (unofficial withdrawals) because I kept trying to balance everything out but it never worked out.

So, everything kind of got better eventually, and last summer I decided to go to school full-time, not working, and to reach my dream of becoming a dentist. I go to a small private college which has around 2,000 students. I have taken 55 credits from September-July. I read throughout the forums that a heavy course load can help indicate performance in dental school. The bright side is I never took a science course before ever, so my sGPA is fresh. Right now it is 3.4, and my overall is 3.65. I have one C+, the rest are A's B+'s and B's. 16 Credits in the fall and 21 in the spring, the rest throughout winter and summer sessions (still finishing the last 6 until the end of july).

I had 15 credits transferred, so I'm up to 70. I'm taking 20 in the fall, so I will definately graduate by 2011. This means I have to apply in may of 2010 to start in 2011.

Here is where my dilemma kicks in. I am taking organic chem this year (Fall2009-Spring2010). The applications process starts in May, and I constantly read that applying early gives you the best chances. However, my finals will be around the middle of May. That means I have to take the DAT after, and I know I need to study for a few weeks. I'm doing PAT and QR now so I have the habits down. I'm also doing a lot of reading for RC.

I want to kick the DAT's ass, but I want to have it reach the admissions committee in time. I'm sure your app goes on hold until your DAT scores come in, but how long after the application opening does it really begin to hinder the fact that you applied early? That is something I really need to note so I can adjust my study habits accordingly, as well as the exam date.

Also, I would appreciate any feedback on my story about the chances I have so far, especially with that dismissal.

Thanks guys!

 

[Vicviper]

I'd say if you take the DAT by mid-July at the latest, it would probably get to the schools before they start looking at apps, and even if you take it somewhat after that, you still won't be very bad off.

Good luck, and keep up the good work, you'll get in sooner or later!

 

[MichaelWestin]

I'd say if you take the DAT by mid-July at the latest, it would probably get to the schools before they start looking at apps, and even if you take it somewhat after that, you still won't be very bad off.

Good luck, and keep up the good work, you'll get in sooner or later!

Mid-July?? Two months? Way more then I had expected anyone to say! I was worried about waiting until Mid-June. 🙂

I have off in August, so I am going to re-read my bio book (Campbell) and chemistry to refresh my memory. Going to try the same thing in December/January along with organic, and start hardcore after the spring semester, at least 10 hours a day in a quiet room, with all the usual study materials. I already bought Crack DAT super deluxe mega killer edition for like a million bucks (or 300, whatever) and have been using it.

Can anyone rate its science and qr section? I figured I might as well just get em anyway, I hear the PAT section is very good but nothing about the other sections.

 

[Vicviper]

I would suggest not reading through Campbell, and instead going to a bookstore and get one of the cheaper DAT prep-books, like Barron's DAT. The information from Campbell would be a bit overload probably, and at this time away from the DAT, you'd probably forget a lot of the information. The DAT prep books on the other hand more focus on what the DAT is actually going to cover, which is much less detailed.

But as far as taking the test, maybe take it by the first or second week of July to be safe.